San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-02-18
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY IS, 1887.
FEDERAL AID TO SCHOOLS.

The insane jealousy Of some southern
people. and some southern states, OF all
that to their distorted imaginings savOrs
of usurpation of state rights, is at the
bottom of every objection urged against
the passage OF the Blair educational bill.
This Chinese wall OF prejudice has been
broken In upon by the passage OF the
inter state commerce bill, which is GER
tainly more Objectionable as an ante
states rights measure than the Blair
bill! possibly could be. 1t is very much
to be regretted that any sectional preju-
dices should be allowed to defeat a
measure so necessary to the educational
development and advancement OF the
southern states. The growth OF Hitter
scy In the south has been constant and
altogether too rapid for comfortable con-
sideration; and, now that the ice has
been broken In this states right. -ex-
clusiveness by the inter state commerce
law, il is sincerely to be hoped that the
measures of educational aid proposed In
the Blair bill will not again be made in
effectual by the votes and voices OF
southern congressman. The Alabama
legislature has wisely instructed the
congressional delegation from that
state to vote in favor Of the
Blair bill as the increase
Of illiterscy In the state demands
that every aid to education should be
embraced. The governor Of Tennessee
recommends that state to take similar
action. Louisiana always has been IA
vorably inclined to the bill, and the
statistics published show that the in
crease Of illiterscy there is, as in other
states, continually increasing. The con-
dition Of things is no whit better In
Texas. In 1870 there were In this state
1906 illiterate white voters, and in 1880
there were 33,0S5 OF the same class; an
increase In ten years of nearly 80 per
cent. In 1870 the illiterate colored
voters OF the state numbered 1900, and
In 1850 they had Increased 10 80 600. II
universal Intelligence Is the safeguard of
republican institutions, and universal
intelligence is based upon universal ed
ucation, then 1t lie not to be concealed
that the safeguards 10 Texas would be
materially increased by better educa-
tional results. fhe relief must come
either by the state alone, or by the state
supplemented by federal aid. The south
has long claimed that the expense bills
Of the nation were such that the great
bulk Of federal funds were distributed
In the northern states. Here is an open
hand which the federal government
stretches out toward the south, but the
aid 1t holds is CONTEMPORARY spurned.
In this thing the south is not just to her.
self, nor does she show dine sense of
the educational needs which press upon
her.
GALVESTON and Austin are eternally
warning over the state institutions. Gal
weston can make no movement looking
toward the establishment Of any branch
department Of a state institution there
that Austin does not raise howl. There
are times when such howl is sensible,
other times when 1t is senseless. The
protest against the establishment of a
medical hospital and college at Calves
ton, as an adjunct to the State uni.
versity, Is Of the latter kind. Galveston.
as the principal sea port of the state, Is
the place for the medical college. The
hospital practice there would be worth
more to student In one month than 1t
would be at Austin In q year. Galveston II
generally accused Of wanting the earth.
Perhaps she does. This is no reason
why she should not have what she II
Justly entitled to, and what the stat.
would be benefited by her having
There Is no need Of being childish abou
the matter.
THE change proposed by the schoo
bill before The Texas legislature, will
transfer the public schools from the car,
Of the county judge to a county superin
endent, to be elected according TO N.
terms Of the act. The movement is fl
the direction Of much more efficient ad
minIstration Of the schools Of the state
It should become law and the law shoul,
be made as effective as is possible to tn
wisdom Oftbe legislature.